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18-Year-Old Killed in McMinnville
McMinnville Police are investigating a shooting that left an 18-year-old man dead. Joshua Dell Smith of McMinnville was reportedly shot by his roommate over the weekend. Witnesses told police that 19-year-old Dakota Basham was cleaning a pistol when it discharged and struck Smith. It happened late Friday night at Bybee Woods.
Police say several witnesses have said the shooting was accidental. Basham has not been charged at this time as the investigation continues.
Gas Prices Going Up
Gas prices are on the rise once again, after declining for nearly two weeks. Tennessee gas prices declined early last week, then rose a total of 4 cents. Sunday’s state average of $2.34 is the same as a month ago, yet remains 30 cents more than this time last year.
“There are a few of factors that gave gas prices a boost, but this time it wasn’t crude oil,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gasoline supplies took a sharp dip last week, as exports rose and refineries began to switch from summer to winter blend gasoline. In addition, demand in the southeast – especially in Florida – is strong, as Americans hit the road for spring break.
The low price per gallon in Manchester as of Tuesday afternoon was $2.29 and in Tullahoma the low price is $2.32.
TN Groups Sue Feds Over Treatment of Cherokee Forest
Tumbling Creek feeds into the Ocoee River, site of the whitewater events for the 1996 Olympics. (Natures Paparazzi/Flickr)
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), on behalf of the Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter and Tennessee Heartwood, filed a lawsuit in federal court late last week, alleging the U.S. Forest Service is illegally endangering Tumbling Creek near the Ocoee River.
Sam Evans, SELC national forests and parks program leader, said people should be concerned about a decision to sell 500 acres near Tumbling Creek to commercial logging companies.
“About a dozen miles away, the Forest Service is still trying to clean up its last mess from a five-year-old logging project there,” Evans explained. “Heavy logging on steep slopes caused massive erosion. The Forest Service has spent already a tremendous amount of money but can’t get the forests to grow back.”
Evans and others predict the erosion and water pollution that would result would damage the forest and water quality. The groups have been expressing their concerns to the feds for four years, and claim they have gone unheard.
Supporters of logging say it is necessary to clear the forest of trees for regrowth, and would not have an impact on the health of the forest.
Evans added the groups are surprised at the lack of response from the Forest Service, in the midst of many examples of partnerships between environmental groups and the federal government.
“We don’t take likely filing a lawsuit against an agency that we count on as a partner, in some cases,” he said, “but here, they just haven’t responded to our many, many attempts to get them to do the right thing voluntarily.”
The plaintiffs allege the Forest Service is illegally endangering the soil, forests and waters of the Cherokee National Forest and want the agency to explain how it will prevent damage similar to other projects, if this one is allowed to proceed.
Gov. Haslam wants $30 M for School Safety
Gov. Bill Haslam
In a news release Tuesday, Haslam’s office says the money includes $25 million in nonrecurring and $5.2 million in recurring school safety grants.
Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin told a legislative panel that the money would be spread among mental health, law enforcement safety and education.
The school safety money would come through Haslam’s amendment for the 2018-2019 proposed budget.
The $83.8 million amendment also includes $3 million in nonrecurring money to help school districts buy school buses with seatbelts.
3/20/18 — Birthdays
Birthdays:
Sarah Anderson, 22 — Pizza Winner!
Waylon Irowin, 10
Heather Porter
Jean Robinson, 81
Dustin Jacobs, 18
3/22/18 — Patrick Lee Elkins
Patrick Lee Elkins of Tullahoma passed this life on Monday, March 19, 2018 at the age of 56 years. Funeral Services are scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 2 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be from 12:00 until 2:00 PM
Mr. Elkins, a native of Charleston Kanowha, West Virginia, was the son of George U. Elkins of LaRvae, Ohio and Mary Brown of Estill Springs, Tennessee. He worked in construction and enjoyed golf, music and was a big fan of the Florida Gators and Dallas Cowboys football.
Mr. Elkins was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Elkins.
He is survived by his wife, Harvetta Elkins; three daughters, Jessica Johnson, Ashton Owens and Cheyenne Elkins and 2 step-daughters and 2 step-sons; three sisters, Karen Jenner and husband Larry, Linda Smith and husband Dale and Trish Maceyko and husband Tim; one brother, Adam Scott English; 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews as well as special friends, David Maddox and Jerry Martin.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
3/23/18–Clifford Allison
Mr. Clifford Allison 94, of Shelbyville passed Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at his residence.
He was born to the late Angie and Richard Allison. He was married to the late Mai Lee Sims Allison.
He served faithfully in the United States Army where he served World War II and traveled throughout Europe. He was also at the Normandy Beach invasion.
Mr. Allison loved his music which he was passionate about jazz.
He retired from Eaton Corporation and loved the Funeral Industry. He was a loyal and dedicated employee at J.A. Welton & Son Funeral Home.
He is survived by his son, Thomas Allison and granddaughter, Angel Allison and grandson, Andrew Richilen; Nephew, Gary Allison, two cousins, Becky Calvin and Sue Sims and host of nieces, nephews, and devoted friends, Bro. and Sis Giles and his veteran buddies.
He will lie in state, Friday, March 23, 2018 from 10:30 -1:00 pm at Bright Temple Church of God in Christ. Funeral Services to follow at 1:00 pm at Bright Temple Church of God in Christ with Pastor Jason Scales as Eulogist.
Interment- Middle TN Veterans Cemetery in Pegram, TN
3/20/18–VICTORIA JEAN BAUGUS
VICTORIA JEAN BAUGUS, age 63, of Winchester, Tenn., departed this life on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville following an extended illness. Ms. Baugus was born in Norfolk, Virginia to the late James Alex Vaughan and Victoria Maziarz Vaughan on May 6, 1953. She was a Christian. She was employed in hotel management for several years before she became disabled. Mrs. Baugus enjoyed writing, singing, listening to Christian music and reading her Bible. She was known to be a good listener. She loved all different kinds of animals.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Baugus was preceded in death by her sister, Gloria Vaughan. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Joe Baugus of Winchester, Mother, Victoria Vaughan of Belvidere, son, Jason D. Vaughan and wife, Tiffany of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., grandchildren; Courtney, Denice and Jason Vaughan, II, great-grandchildren; Madison Hunt and Paizley Davidson.
Services for Mrs. Baugus will be held at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday evening, March 20, in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Visitation from 4:00-6:00 prior to the service.
Prep Results and Schedule
Monday Prep Results
> CCMS Tennis vs. Westwood Tennis – PPD, Make-up is TBD
> CHS Tennis HOSTS Cannon Co – PPD, Make-up is TBD
> CCMS Baseball at North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is TBD
> CCMS Softball at North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is TBD
> CHS JV Baseball at Lincoln County – CANCELLED
> WMS Softball HOSTS Moore Co – PPD, Make-up is TBD
> CHS Softball at Shelbyville – PPD, Make-up is April 19th
> CHS Baseball HOSTS Riverdale – PPD, Make-up is TBD
Tuesday Prep Schedule(Updated 5:55)
4:00 PM – CHS Tennis at Franklin Co – CANCELLED, No makeup
4:30 PM – CCMS Tennis HOSTS Lewisburg – PPD, Make-up is April 17th
5:00 PM – CCMS Baseball HOSTS North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is March 22nd
5:00 PM – CCMS Boys’ Soccer HOSTS North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is April 3rd
5:00 PM – CCMS Softball HOSTS North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is April 5th
5:00 PM – CHS Baseball(JV) HOSTS Grundy Co – CANCELLED
5:00 PM – WMS Softball at Huntland – PPD, Make-up is March 21
5:00 PM – WMS Baseball HOSTS Moore Co
5:30 PM – WMS Boys’ Soccer HOSTS Riverside Christian
6:00 PM – CHS Baseball at Lincoln Co – PPD, Make-up is March 21 at CHS(DH beginning at 4)
6:30 PM – CHS Softball at Lincoln Co – PPD, Make-up is March 21 at CHS
7:00 PM – CHS Boys’ Soccer at Shelbyville
Claybusters Grab a Pair of Wins on Saturday
Claybusters Intermediate Division winners from March 17, 2018. (Left to Right) Logan Meadows, Braden Davenport, Landon Meadows, Emma Matthews and Jonah Wyatt[Photo used with permission]
Team #4, consisting of: Logan Meadows(83), Braden Davenport(83), Landon Meadows(88), Emma Matthews(91) and Jonah Wyatt(84), shot a 429(out of a possible 500) to defeat Franklin County and MTCS by 6 targets.
Team #5, consisting of Garrett Taylor(68), Riley Bellomy(61), Hunter Harmon(47), Dylan Hickerson(78) and Xavier Bartley(80) also captured a 1st place finish in the Intermediate Entry Division. The team shot a 334 to outdistance 2nd place MTCS by 18 targets.
The Claybusters Team #3 finished as the runners-up in the Senior Division, Junior Varsity. The team posted a score of 404 which was 6 broken clays out of first place. Team members, with their score in parentheses, were: Lexi Stacey(87), Tucker Carlson(98), Brason Fletcher(78), Emily Deford(57) and Cheyenne Martin(84).
The Senior Division, Varsity squad captured a 3rd place finish on the day. That squad, Claybusters #1, shot a 450 for the day. Team members, with their score in parentheses, were: Hayden Jacobs(93), Neil Slone(90), Victoria Majors(89), Lindsey Dickson(88) and Austin Schaller(90).
The Claybusters return to action on Saturday, April 7th when the will compete at a team shoot at Big Springs in Christiana. That tournament is set to get underway at 9 AM.